Herbal Kitchen Wisdom for Autumn
Celebrating autumn and welcoming herbal traditions into our lives.
In our busy modern lives we often forget to honor the changing of the seasons. In Southern California where I live it can feel like our weather patterns don’t vary too much…But if you take a moment to pause and fall is the perfect time to do so, you can feel a shift inside yourself and in the world around you. The days are getting shorter, the nights a bit longer, the beautiful sunsets come sooner, you feel a change within the earth and yourself.
Herbs can help us explore the seasons and cooking can remind us to honor these natural cycles.
Traditionally fall is the time of the harvest, abundance and giving thanks. It is a busy time to prepare for the coming winter and to take advantage of all of the abundance provided through the spring and summer by the natural world.
Traditions such as canning, and harvesting berries and apples remind us of this special time of year. The fall equinox this year was on September 22, 2022, the moment when the day & night are equal all over the world! Pure magic. After September 22nd we begin to tip into more darkness than light each day.
As we approach this tipping point we may find ourselves craving a bit more sleep, a natural inclination to slow down and a desire to nest at home. This is a natural reaction as the dark times of the year. When we naturally want to restore, rest and renew. Honoring this feeling within ourselves is a healthy response to seasonal changes.
To help you get into the vibe of autumn abundance - try out these herbal recipes. All are simple and easy to prepare. They will help you remember your connection to the earth and welcome in the special season of autumn.
Herbal Recipes for Fall
Infused Honey
This is such a simple, delicious and fun preparation that I think everyone should have a jar of Infused Honey in the cupboard. You can use your honey as a sweetener or make a quick hot drink by taking a spoonful and adding hot water.
Here are my 3 favorite Infused Honeys. All are delicious and all offer health benefits.
Lemon or orange peel
Thyme
Garlic or Ginger or both together.
Citrus Infused Honey
Choose lemon, orange or lime.
Peel off the outer aromatic peel, leaving as much of the white pith behind as you can. A vegetable peeler works well for this job or a paring knife. The peel should be in small pieces.
Stuff the peel into a small jar. A 4 or 8 ounce canning jar works well or any jar you have. Fill the jar approximately half full of citrus peel and then pour honey in the jar until it is about ¾ full. You’ll want to leave a tiny bit of space at the top. Because honey is hygroscopic - meaning it absorbs water from material around it. The honey will be pulling all of the water soluble aromatics and medicinal properties out of the peel and infusing them into your honey.
After about 7-14 days this process will be complete. Your honey will be slightly syrupy, and oh so delicious. Strain and enjoy. You can even eat the citrus peel if you like or dry it for a tasty snack.
How to use: Add a spoonful to any cup of tea, or put a spoonful in a cup and add hot water - instant tea. Drizzle on yogurt, cheese platter, toast, sliced fruit, you get the idea! Use as you would any other honey.
Fire Cider has become incredibly popular in the past few years. It is essentially an herbal oxymel which is a combination of vinegar and honey. This slightly tart, sweet and spicy tonic is wonderful taken in the fall as the weather shifts. The original recipe for Fire Cider was first popularized by the renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in the 1970’s. A daily shot or spoonful will provide a boost of vitality. You can also use as you would any vinegar in salad dressings or when cooking.
Fire Cider Recipe:
To prepare a 1 quart batch:
¼ cup freshly grated ginger
¼ cup freshly grated horseradish
Small onion - chopped
Garlic, peeled and chopped. This is too taste you probably want at least 2-6 individual cloves. But if you love garlic feel free to use the entire head of garlic.
1-4 peppers (add according to your taste)
1 Lemon or orange chopped
When working with ginger, horseradish, onions, garlic, and peppers remember to keep your hands away from your face, especially your eyes and nose. If you have sensitive skin you may want to wear gloves.
Add the chopped items to a quart jar.
Customize your Fire Cider with fresh herbs!
For fall, wonderful herbs to consider are: Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Chives, Turmeric, Burdock Root, Dandelion Root, and Calendula Flowers.
After you have added your herbs pour in enough Apple Cider Vinegar to cover, leaving 1-2 inches at the top. If you have a metal lid, cover the top with waxed paper or parchment paper and then place the metal over the paper. Seal tightly. Let sit for 2-4 weeks in a cool dark place. Shake once a day. Strain the vinegar from the herbs and sweeten with honey to taste. Compost the leftovers.
How to use: Take 1-2 tablespoons in warm water as a tonic and for support during cold & flu season. If you feel like you are coming down with something have a couple of times a day in warm water and get some extra rest. Use as you would any vinegar to season food, in salad dressings etc.
Caution with apple cider vinegar: Some folks find apple cider irritating rather than supportive. If you feel any digestive upsets, heartburn, or stomach irritation discontinue use.
Herbal Teas:
Sipping a delicious tea for fall can help us to slow down and remember to reflect, as we navigate the busyness of modern life. Here are a few ideas for tea that you may not have considered.
Ginger Tea: Grate some fresh ginger and add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon to a cup of hot water. Ginger is spicy so adjust the amount you use to your taste buds. Let sit for 5-10mins or longer. Strain and add some lemon juice and honey if you like. This is a warming tea that will chase away a chill and heat you right down to your toes. It’s a great tea to have if you are just starting to feel a tingle of a cold coming on. Ginger tea is also traditionally used to settle upset tummies.
Cinnamon Tea: Crush a cinnamon stick and add 1 cup of hot water. Let sit for 5-10 mins or longer, strain and add some honey or sweetener if you like. This tea will warm you up and increase circulation. When I know I’ll be hiking in cold weather I love to make a thermos of cinnamon tea to drink while I’m out.
Tea tip: The longer you steep the tea the stronger it will get. Sometimes this is appealing and sometimes not. It you are trying a new herbal tea, let if sit for 5 mins, and then taste it. Do you like the taste or do you want the flavor to get stronger?
Finally - make your house smell like fall! Add a simmer pot to the stove.
Place a pot on the stove filled with water. Add crushed cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, slices of your favorite citrus and allow to gently simmer. Keep an eye on your pot as you don’t want all the water to boil away.
Another wonderful version is Thyme, Lavender and Rosemary.
Wishing everyone an abundant and restful fall! Remember to count your blessings and be grateful for those that you love.
About Cindy Saylor: I’m a certified herbalist & nutritionist. I offer workshops, private consultations, herbal potions and work at a monthly free clinic. I believe we all benefit by remembering our connection to the natural world and plants help us make the connection.
If bees only gathered nectar from perfect flowers, they wouldn’t be able to make even a single drop of honey.
Matshona Dhliwayo
Follow @everydayplantmagic for more ways to add plant magic to your life!
Online References
Fire Cider - Traditions not Trademarks: https://freefirecider.com/
Who makes your honey? Love the bees: If everyone added native plants to their yards, imagine the difference we could all make! https://www.wildyardsproject.com/